Isaiah conveys six woes, or messages of judgment, against Israel, Jerusalem, and the surrounding nations (28-33), and a message of blessing for Israel (34-35).

ISAIAH 28-29

Isaiah prophesies his first three messages of woe-against Ephraim, Jerusalem, and Lebanon.

ISRAEL'S REJECTION (28:1-4, 7-29; 29:1-4, 9-16)

The northern ten tribes (28:1-4)

The sin (28:1):

The northern kingdom has become a nation of arrogant drunkards.

The suffering (28:2-4):

God will bring the Assyrians against his people, resulting in their deportation.

The southern two tribes (28:7-29; 29:1-4, 9-13, 15-16)

The perversions (28:7-10, 14-15; 29:9, 15-16)

Drunkenness (28:7-8):

The priests and prophets are unable to carry out their responsibilities.

Disdain (28:9-10):

The religious leaders ridicule Isaiah's warning.

Disbelief (28:14-15; 29:9)

In God's power (28:14-15):

In time of danger, they turn to Egypt for help.

In God's promise (29:9)

Deceit (29:15-16):

They attempt to hide both their sin and themselves from God.

The punishment (28:11-13, 16-22; 29:1-4, 10-13):

God's terrible wrath upon his people will be twofold:

For Judah, the horrors of the Babylonian Captivity (28:11-13, 17-22; 29:1-4):

The people refuse to listen to God, so he will send the enemy like a flood to destroy them.

For all Israel, a spiritual sleep, causing the people in their blindness to later reject their own Messiah (28:16; 29:10-13):

The events of the future have been made like a sealed book.

The parable (28:23-29):

Isaiah compares God's workings among the nations to those of a farmer working his soil.

ISRAEL'S RESTORATION (28:5-6, 16; 29:5-8, 17-24)

The Redeemer (28:16):

Jesus Christ himself is Israel's chief cornerstone.

The redemption (28:5-6; 29:5-8, 17-24)

He will provide justice and strength for his people (28:5-6):

He will be the pride and joy of the remnant.

He will provide victory and protection for his people (29:5-8, 20, 22):

Israel's enemies will disappear, and the people will no longer be afraid.

He will provide healing and joy for his people (29:17-19, 21, 23-24):

The fields will become fertile and lush, the deaf will hear, the blind will see, and justice will prevail.

ISAIAH 30-31

Isaiah prophesies his fourth and fifth messages of woe, both of which warn against making an alliance with Egypt.

THE DEVASTATION UPON ISRAEL (30:1-14, 16-17; 31:1-3)

What Israel has done to God (30:1-11):

They make plans with out consulting God, they demand that their prophets cease from preaching on sin, and they listen only to soothing sermons.

What God will do to Israel (30:12-14, 16-17)

His judgment will fall on them like a bulging wall (30:12-14):

They will be smashed like pieces of pottery.

A thousand of them will flee from one enemy soldier (30:16-17):

They have put their trust in Egypt instead of in God and will be punished for it.

THE INVITATION TO ISRAEL (30:15, 18; 31:6-7):

God issues invitations urging his people to repent and to return to him.

THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL (30:19-33; 31:4-5):

The Lord will do several things for Israel:

Comfort his people and hear their prayers (30:19):

God will be gracious and respond to their cries.

Teach and guide them (30:20-22)

Give them abundant crops (30:23-26):

The animals will be well fed, and the sun and moon will be bright.

Defeat their enemies (30:27-28, 30-33; 31:4-5, 8-9):

The Lord will come and sift out the proud nations and will lead them to destruction.

Fill their hearts with joy (30:29):

They will sing songs like those sung at holy festivals.

ISAIAH 32-33

Isaiah prophesies of God's reign over a restored Israel and of his sixth woe-this one against the Assyrians. Isaiah describes two periods of time, one in the future and one in his own day.

ISRAEL'S FUTURE: The Wonders (32:1-8, 15-20; 33:16-24):

Here the prophet speaks concerning the Millennium.

The ministry of the Son of God (32:1-8; 33:16-24):

The Messiah himself will appear in all his glory and beauty to accomplish a fivefold ministry:

To reign as earth's righteous king (32:1):

Honest princes will rule under him.

To restore and regenerate Israel (32:2-4):

Everyone will look to God and will listen to him.

To right all wrongs (32:5-8):

The ungodly will be exposed, but generous people will be blessed for all they do.

To meet the needs of all people (33:16):

They will have a fortress, food, and water.

To usher in universal peace (33:18-24):

The Lord will reign and be the judge and king. He will care for his people and save them.

The ministry of the Spirit of God (32:15-20)

To anoint the people of God (32:15):

The Spirit will be poured down from heaven.

To bring about worldwide justice (32:16-17):

The righteousness of God will bring peace.

To guarantee abundant crops (32:18-20):

Wherever the people plant seed, they will have bountiful crops.

ISRAEL'S PRESENT: The Warnings (32:9-14; 33:1-15):

Here the prophet speaks concerning his own day.

He warns the women of Israel (32:9-14).

Hear God's word (32:9-10):

The harvest will not take place, because they have been lazy.

Heed God's word (32:11-14):

Their land will be overgrown, and their homes will be gone.

He warns the warriors of Assyria (33:1-15):

Judah will be threatened and terrified by the advancing Assyrian troops.

The prayer for deliverance (33:2-4):

Judah wants to be rescued from Assyrian domination.

The promise of deliverance (33:1, 5-15)

The Assyrian destroyers will be destroyed themselves (33:1):

They have never felt destruction, but they will be betrayed and destroyed.

The Assyrian armies will be cut down like thorns and burned (33:5-15):

God will show his power and might against the Assyrians.

ISAIAH 34-35

Isaiah prophesies of the day of the Lord and of Israel's restoration and glory in the Kingdom.

GOD'S GRIEVOUS PUNISHMENT (34:1-17)

Judgment upon all nations (34:1-4):

These verses refer to the coming Great Tribulation.

The world's armies will be destroyed (34:1-2):

The Lord's anger will be brought down upon them.

The mountains will flow with the blood of unburied corpses (34:3):

The bodies of the dead will be left unburied.

The heavens will dissolve, and the stars will fall (34:4):

They will be like withered leaves and fruit falling from a tree.

Judgment upon one nation (34:5-17):

This doomed nation is Edom.

The severity of God's judgment (34:5-15)

Edom's people will be cut down like animals (34:5-8):

The Lord's sword will be covered in blood and fat as if used for sacrifices.

The ground will be covered with fire (34:9):

Even the streams will be filled with burning pitch.

The land will become desolate and uninhabited (34:10-15).

The surety of God's judgment (34:16-17):

He guarantees all this by putting it in writing!

GOD'S GLORIOUS PROVISION (35:1-10):

This chapter refers to the Millennium.

Life in the perfect age-the characteristics (3 5:1 -2, 5-10)

The deserts will bloom (35:1-2, 6-7):

The lame will walk, and the mute will shout and sing.

The blind will see, and the deaf will hear (35:5).

A Highway of Holiness will be built (35:8-10).

Life in the present age-the challenge (35:3-4):

The glorious fact of the coming Millennium should serve as strength and comfort to all believers living in difficult times.